A different track for Portland train station | Letter
Letter to the editor sparks debate over proposed train routing near Portland Transportation Center
A letter written by Saco resident Thomas Harmon and published in the Press Herald has ignited discussion among rail planners, commuters, and local residents about a new proposal to extend train service from the Portland Transportation Center westward toward Freeport and Brunswick. The writer outlines a plan that would keep the train in its current terminal, then divert it onto existing tracks until it reaches Interstate 95, where a new ramp would link the rail line to the middle of the highway. From there the train would run along the median of I‑95 between the automobile lanes, using a single track that would require lane re‑striping and a narrower breakdown lane.
Harmon notes that the design mirrors that of Chicago’s “L” train, which runs along a highway median. He argues that a modest number of bridges would only need “relatively minor support alterations” for clearance. The proposed path would pass just beyond the Falmouth Spur—accessible via a new ramp—and then angle back onto the existing rail corridor on the way to Freeport and Brunswick.
The letter raises concerns about the safety and practicality of the plan. “The new station proposal is isolated and will create serious safety concerns,” Harmon writes. He points out that the Portland Transportation Center is already a bustling hub, handling both bus and rail traffic, and that the surrounding area is evolving rapidly. “It is growing with not just entertainment, but new apartments and a recently built hotel,” he says. “A new station next to a factory and an off‑putting industrial area would be a move back in time.” Harmon cautions that a transportation terminal functions as a city’s gateway, and “one never gets a second chance to make a first impression.”
The proposal has drawn attention from community members, transportation officials, and local business owners. Supporters of the plan argue that extending service could stimulate economic activity in the outer suburbs and improve connectivity for commuters. Critics, echoing Harmon's concerns, fear that the median track would increase the risk of accidents and could detract from the aesthetic appeal of the growing downtown corridor.
The letter’s publication follows a series of discussions in the Portland metropolitan area about expanding rail service to accommodate population growth and shifting transportation needs. While no definitive decision has been announced, the proposal’s safety implications and impact on the city’s image are likely to shape future deliberations.
As the conversation unfolds, city planners, local officials, and residents will need to weigh the potential benefits of expanded rail access against the risks posed by the proposed routing and the visual impact on an increasingly vibrant downtown Portland.
